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What It Was Like
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Conversations with people who have lived through extreme events. Some stories are dark and twisted, others are light and funny. In all cases, we get an intimate portrait of 'what it was like' to be there.
Hosted by Julian Morgans
A Superreal Production
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
74 Episodes
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In 2015, wellness influencer Belle Gibson was outed for pretending to have cancer. Now she's back in the headlines thanks to a new show on Netflix. In this episode we talk to a woman named Beckii Jones, who once considered Belle a friend. She ran a Facebook group for mothers in the early 2010s when Belle joined and even suggested the name for her infamous app, The Whole Pantry. Beckii reflects on the woman she knew and the parts of Belle that remain a mystery.Follow our new show Scammerland. It's based on a two-part episode we did last year on What it Was Like about scammer farms and it's on Spotify, Apple and YouTube. Subscribe now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tornado chasing was a niche hobby when Tim Marshall started in the 1970s. But over time, he watched it grow in popularity and then explode into the mainstream with the 1996 release of the film Twister. In this episode, Tim reflects on the times he was lucky to make it home, the friends who didn't, and the "internetization" of his beloved past time.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Julie Lindahl always knew there was something different about her family. Her German grandparents had fled to Brazil after the war, but she didn't know why. Until she discovered her grandfather was in the SS—the elite guard of the Nazi regime, responsible for some of their worst atrocities. In this episode, Julie explores guilt, accountability, and why confronting the past is the key to healing.Julie's book, The Pendulum, is available here on Amazon.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 2014, Laurence Hearn was drinking too much and struggling to make ends meet. Then he accidentally got stuck in a washing machine. What followed was a series of unexpected events that would ultimately turn his life around. This is a one-of-a-kind tale of Australian larrikinism—told by the man who lived it.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 1989, Melissa Fyfe was a high school student in Tasmania when her classmate killed his parents and younger brother. Shocked, the community buried the tragedy, leaving his motives a mystery. Now, Melissa shares what she uncovered when she finally started asking questions.Trigger warning: this episode contains child abuse themes.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1In 2019, a man named Fraser Harvey nominated himself 'Customer of the Week' at a Melbourne coffee shop. A woman named Harriett Noall retaliated and a game of oneupmanship arose. In this episode, we hear how a private prank accidentally became an internet sensation.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It was June 1987 and an unknown person had murdered five campers in Australia's remote northwest. In this episode, we speak with Bob Brown, the former leader of Western Australia's Tactical Response Group. Bob and his team were flown into the Kimberley region to find and arrest the murderer. But, as you’ll hear, things didn’t go exactly as planned.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mark Edmondson was ranked 212th when he was invited to compete at the 1976 Australian Open. He was a 21-year-old with sideburns, juggling odd jobs to fund his tennis dreams. In this episode, Mark recounts the experience of defeating his idols to win—then accidentally dropping the trophy on the podium.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 2003, a pizza deliveryman robbed a Pennsylvania bank with a bomb locked to his neck—a heist that ended in tragedy when the bomb exploded. The mastermind? Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, later sentenced to life in prison. In this episode, we hear from criminologist Kathryn Whiteley who befriended Marjorie behind bars and uncovers how and why this "evil genius" orchestrated such a bizarre crime.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Myah Morgenstern isn't famous. But when she met actor Tony Revolori, (Spiderman, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Scream), she was ushered into a whole new world of red carpets, VIP parties and weird social dynamics. In this episode, Myah describes her real-life Notting Hill experience of dating a celebrity as a non-famous person.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the lead up to Christmas of 1980, three Woolworths stores were bombed around New South Wales. It's a crazy story involving Australia's largest supermarket chain, two larrikin crooks, and a $1 million ransom thrown into the Sydney Harbour. We'll hear about it from two people: Former police officer Allan Duncan who was injured in one of the explosions, and Forgotten Australia podcast host, Michael Adams.This is a rerun from 2022 but it's one of our favourite Christmas throwbacks so we're giving it a second play. If you haven't already heard it, enjoy.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sandra Miller wasn't overly concerned when her therapist partner's client admitted to eavesdropping outside their window. Until this client started calling the house, relentlessly. In this episode, we dive into a real life version of 'Fatal Attraction' to learn what happens when a stalker invades a relationship.\Check out Sandra's USA TODAY best-selling book Wednesdays at One. It's a great read.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Julian Morgans, host of What it Was Like, gets parking fines all the time. In his own words "I could wallpaper my house with them." But instead of doing that, he's embarked on a scheme to get revenge, while learning a few things about the inner workings of the parking industry along the way.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Narelle Fraser spent much of her career in Victoria's Rape and Homicide squads, placing her at the coalface of the epidemic of violence against women. In this episode, she walks us through the murder of Melbourne-mother Maria Korp, as a way to explore the mindset of men who perpetrate such violence.Keep up to date with Narelle and find links to her podcast hereFind us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Between 1994 and 1997, the sect known as The Order of the Solar Temple snuffed itself out via five mass murder suicides. We spend this episode looking at what happened—and why.For further info, check out some of our sources:Qubec Coroner's Report 1996The challenge of identification following the tragedy of the Solar TempleSolar Temple in Salvan: 25 years later, a luxury chalet on the site of the massacreCult Horror Maims Prominent French Family: The New York TimesThe Philosophy of Fanaticism: Paul KatsafanasExtremes podcast: Escaping a Cult Julian interviews a Jonestown survivorFind us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 1994, a series of ritualistic mass suicides exposed the world to The Order of the Solar Temple—a secretive doomsday sect with members spread across Switzerland, France, and Canada. In this episode, we explore how its two leaders transitioned from promoting New Age health remedies to orchestrating massacres.For more information, check out these sources:The Order of the Solar Temple: Temple of Death. Edited by James R. LewisApocalypse Observed by John R. Hall. Philip D. Schuyler and Sylvaine TrinhAustralia Link With Swiss Doomsday Cult, The Canberra TimesReddit thread on The Order of the Solar TempleFind us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tom Phillips has been hiding out in New Zealand's remote northwest with his three young children since 2021. Despite extensive searches, the family has managed to evade capture—even after Tom allegedly robbed a bank with his 10-year-old daughter. In this episode, we’re speaking with journalist Tony Wall, who’s covered the case from the beginning. He’ll share insights on those who may be helping Tom and why he’s been so difficult to catch.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For a decade, a man posing as a police officer called fast-food chains across the US and asked managers to strip-search their employees. Dozens complied, leading to multiple cases of sexual assault. In this episode, we speak with a detective named Buddy Stump who solved the case after a friend's daughter became a victim.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
John Leonard Orr is a convicted arsonist and mass murderer. He is believed to have set nearly 2,000 fires in a 30-year spree, making him the most prolific serial arsonist in American history. But his daughter Lori hasn't always seen him this way. She talks about her childhood memories of seeing John as a hero firefighter. A man who always had a special knack for being the first on the scene.Contact Lori here for a chance to win a signed copy of her book: Burned.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When Lorraine Murphy met up with a pig farmer at a cafe in Vancouver, she couldn't have been less impressed. "Willy," as everyone called him, was creepy and smelled terrible. She left and didn't see him again for 12 years — when Willy was arrested as the most prolific serial killer (by body count) in Canada's history.This is a rerun from 2022 but it's one of our favourites so we're giving it a second play. If you haven't already heard it, you're in for a treat.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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I can't believe no comments have been made on such a serious problem. l will be sharing with my family and friends
What an awesome podcast! Addicted!
Thank you for bringing this story to your attention on your podcast. Not only is it a fascinating insight into the depraved machinations of a truly evil woman and her co-conspirators and the loss of childhood but the story of how powerful the love of Christ is for the lost. Ben is a survivor who despite the incredible trauma suffered has found the true redeeming power of forgiveness in Christ. Anne's deeds have not been forgotten and will be accounted for but Ben has brought beauty from ashes.
Greg is a very decent man and a great storyteller.Id love to know if the shoe was on the other foot, would John have worried about Greg the next day???
I love this podcast. There is so much variety in the interviews and really well produced